Massey Ferguson 1648 vs Kioti DK50SE

OutBurst · Jul 5, 2015

Hello Again -

This is my second post in the endeavor one would call 'the search' for a compact tractor. The initial posted a new Kubota L4701 against a Kioti NX5010. Well, that was an easy comparison in most people's eyes.

Now, I am looking for opinions about the used market. In this series I have found a used (50hrs) Massey Ferguson 1648 HST with DL130 loader/loaded tires against a used (100hr) Kioti DK50SE with KL401 loader. Both are the same price at $22,000. I plan on purchasing a backhoe for whichever. I have located an orange BH-90x with Kioti subframe for $6500.

Dealers are just about the same distance and are very well-known and easy to work with so there is not an advantage to either. The Massey has turf tires, which I want because I will be driving over my lawn frequently to get to where I will be working, and the Kioti has industrials. Tires are not a huge deal because I don't think I would spend the money to change from industrial to turfs, just a nice 'pro' to consider. The Massey Ferguson has 1200lbs in rear weights and 700lbs of front weights (loader not currently attached).

To throw another wrench in the equation, I have also located a used (700hr) Kioti DK40SE with loader and Woods BH-70x backhoe for $18,500 but it was a trade-in at a dealership, no service records are available, the hood is a little smashed up (is in decent condition otherwise, just looks like something was dropped on it one time) and the backhoe is a little smaller than I would ideally purchase. I have no issue spending money to repair it but I don't think I would replace the backhoe with a larger unit at any point.

As far as budget, I will not really make a decision based off budget - I will base this decision by which is the better purchase. I make a lot of decisions this way (I drove my realtor absolutely crazy when shopping for a home because he had no idea what my exact criteria was, I would suggest a $125k home at the same time I would show him a $350k home). I am flexible and can make a plan with any purchase. I'm crazy and I know it....

Thoughts?

*First picture is the Massey, second picture is the DK50SE, last three pictures are the DK40SE.

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Coyote machine · Jul 5, 2015

DK-40 with hoe. the 70 series hoe should do what you need and for $18k, there are few pre-tier 4 machines out there for that price with a hoe.

DK-50 is good too, but another 8+K for the largest hoe Kioti makes, (for the DK series, which I have - KB-2485).
Can't comment on the Massey- don't know them....

TSO · Jul 6, 2015

They would all be good choices. These are the few pros/cons for each as I know them, but they are small differences, tit-for-tat.

Massey loader will lift about 7" higher, but Kioti loader is rated to lift 250 lbs more... With the height difference the max lift is likely very close.

Massey 3pt will lift about 650 lbs more.

Massey has a synchronized "linked" throttle pedal for the HST that adjusts RPM and ground speed, so you can keep the RPM's at whichever speed you like, low if you want, and when moving around, the tractor will adjust RPM's as needed to accommodate for speed. The DK series didn't have this option, but they did add it to the NX series. It's a nice feature.

The Kioti has a rear, external lever to adjust the 3pt lift arms, while you're at the back hooking up implements... Very handy.

PTO HP: DK50=37.5, 1648=36.5, DK 40=32.5.

The front steering shaft is way more protected on the Massey. I also believe the front axle and carrier is more robust, but that's opinion, no numbers on that.

The Massey has better implement hydraulics.

Can't comment on the backhoe for either.

HOWEVER.... If you're looking for a open station HST with a backhoe, I would also suggest comparing a used (no new, they are discontinued) Deere 110TLB, or a Kubota L39. Stronger backhoes, good loaders, good hydraulics. Designed as construction grade. I'd much rather do backhoe work with these rather than the first ones you mentioned.

GOOD LUCK

TJP89 · Jul 6, 2015

TSO has the relevant differences, the biggest being that the MF has the eHST. TSO likes his 1648, the DK has a solid reputation. Both tractors are pretty much new, but the DK price seems a little high.

As CM said, that DK40 looks like a very nice deal, if you can make 40HP work. 18500 for a TLB DK is nice. 700hrs isn't new, but neither is it excessive amount of hours. I assume it is HST. One thing on that, check the year. I forget the exact year range, but Kiotis from about 2005 to 2008 are very prone to injection pump failure. The issue has been fixed now, and the newer DK50 should be a late enough model, but I would be careful about the DK40. The year can be determined from the serial #, post it and others here can help.

OutBurst · Jul 6, 2015

TJP89 said:
As CM said, that DK40 looks like a very nice deal, if you can make 40HP work. 18500 for a TLB DK is nice. 700hrs isn't new, but neither is it excessive amount of hours. I assume it is HST. One thing on that, check the year. I forget the exact year range, but Kiotis from about 2005 to 2008 are very prone to injection pump failure. The issue has been fixed now, and the newer DK50 should be a late enough model, but I would be careful about the DK40.

The DK40SE is a 2009. The DK50SE is a 2013. Both are HST.

What do you believe would be a good price for the DK50SE?

Poopdeck Pappy · Jul 6, 2015

The turf tires on the Massey could be a deal maker or a deal breaker depending on your intended uses. What are you planning to use the tractor for primarily? I understand that getting it across your yard without damage would favor the turf tires. But if the machine can't perform as well once it gets to the worksite, then that's a problem.

Roadbuilder6 · Jul 6, 2015

Both are good machines. I like the Massey but the DK50 is also a nice tractor. The Massey seems to fit more closely with your needs and as others have mentioned better options. I the DK40 I wouldn't go with due to lack of service records, less hp and a smaller backhoe then what you want. And for a tractor with 700 hours, $18,500 seems high ( I got my Kubota with 120 hours for closer to $19K with full service records). Doesn't look like it was loved. The DK50 seems to be in good shape and it looks like a nice setup. Honestly the DK50SE and the 1648 Massey are both good tractors and you would be happy with either.

GManBart · Jul 6, 2015

TSO said:
HOWEVER.... If you're looking for a open station HST with a backhoe, I would also suggest comparing a used (no new, they are discontinued) Deere 110TLB, or a Kubota L39. Stronger backhoes, good loaders, good hydraulics. Designed as construction grade. I'd much rather do backhoe work with these rather than the first ones you mentioned.

Yep...huge difference in capability there. If price isn't a major consideration, the M59 would be even better with nearly 4K pounds of FEL lift to 126", 46HP PTO and HST+.

GManBart · Jul 6, 2015

Roadbuilder6 said:
And for a tractor with 700 hours, $18,500 seems high ( I got my Kubota with 120 hours for closer to $19K with full service records). Doesn't look like it was loved.

$18,500 isn't that bad when you consider it includes a backhoe that adds $5-6K. He'd be getting the tractor itself for something like $12K.

TSO · Jul 6, 2015

GManBart said:
$18,500 isn't that bad when you consider it includes a backhoe that adds $5-6K. He'd be getting the tractor itself for something like $12K.

I agree, $18,500 is a good price on that, 700 hrs is nothing. My current pace is 500+ hrs per year.

OutBurst · Jul 6, 2015

I appreciate all the help guys. I am leaning away from the DK40SE just because I believe I have better options and I just don't know its history. All I can see is what it is from the outside...

I have looked at the L39's and such but they are just too heavy for my lawn and I need a compact utility tractor to use other attachments: wood splitter, 3pt implements, etc. Just can't remove the backhoe on those models.

The guy with the DK50SE won't budge on his price. It has only 6 months of powertrain warranty left (2013 model year) so I need to take this into account.

I think the Massey might be the way to go... I found a Massey Ferguson 1580 backhoe - does anyone know if this will fit the 1648?

Thanks for all the responses - all have been very helpful!

TSO · Jul 6, 2015

OutBurst said:
I appreciate all the help guys. I am leaning away from the DK40SE just because I believe I have better options and I just don't know its history. All I can see is what it is from the outside...

I have looked at the L39's and such but they are just too heavy for my lawn and I need a compact utility tractor to use other attachments: wood splitter, 3pt implements, etc. Just can't remove the backhoe on those models.

The guy with the DK50SE won't budge on his price. It has only 6 months of powertrain warranty left (2013 model year) so I need to take this into account.

I think the Massey might be the way to go... I found a Massey Ferguson 1580 backhoe - does anyone know if this will fit the 1648?

Thanks for all the responses - all have been very helpful!

Just a quick correction ... You can remove the backhoe and use the 3pt on the L39 & Deere 110TLB. I actually believe they come off just as easily as a regular CUT with add on hoe.

GManBart · Jul 6, 2015

OutBurst said:
I have looked at the L39's and such but they are just too heavy for my lawn and I need a compact utility tractor to use other attachments: wood splitter, 3pt implements, etc. Just can't remove the backhoe on those models.

You can definitely remove the backhoe on an L39, and they have a normal PTO just like a CUT. As far as weight goes, an L39 with the FEL and backhoe in place weighs just under 7,000lbs. A Massey 1648 with FEL and backhoe will be over 6,000lbs easily. The 1648 base weight is a bit over 3,700lbs, the loader is over 1,200lbs, the bucket has to be 200lbs+, and the backhoe is over 1,000lbs as well.

In reality, you're talking a difference of hundred of pounds, and if one is too heavy for your lawn, so will the other.

OutBurst · Jul 6, 2015

L39's have a GST, not an HST.

TSO · Jul 6, 2015

OutBurst said:
L39's have a GST, not an HST.

I thought L35 & L48 had GST, and L39 was HST ... ? Maybe I'm backwards on that. Could be the other way around, in which case you could look for a L35 or L48

OutBurst · Jul 6, 2015

L45's are the first with HST's - checking them out now.

OutBurst · Jul 6, 2015

These John Deere 110TLB's are pretty beastly... With a pretty hefty price tag as well... Near $30k with over 1200hrs...

TJP89 · Jul 7, 2015

OutBurst said:
The DK40SE is a 2009. The DK50SE is a 2013. Both are HST.

What do you believe would be a good price for the DK50SE?

You are clear on the IP pump issue then. The 50 should maybe be at 20K, but 22 is fine considering it is pretty much new right now. The 40 seems to be the best deal, have a mechanic look it over if you want.